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Hello Brides! We are loving the Metallic wedding accents and breezy metallic dress silhouettes this year. Metallics can range from gold, silver and all the shades inbetween. You will love the sparkle and glimmer they can add to a wedding!

Sparkly gold and silver gowns with metallic beading are gorgeous. They’re great for all seasons too. Metallic wedding accents can brighten up a winter wedding or add mystery to a fall wedding. A summer wedding wouldn’t be the same without sparkle! We also love the off the shoulder trend that is hot right now for wedding gowns!

Breezy skirts and flowing, airy material like organza and tulle are also great for a metallic wedding accent. They are the essence of a summer evening elegance. They are also materials that lend themselves nicely to a destination wedding since they pack up a little better than a full ball gown. Metallic wedding dresses are also great for a second look for the reception if you’d like more dazzle on your big day! They can be a little more informal but still glamorous.

Another way to incorporate metallic wedding accents is on your cake. We love the naked cake this year and a way to dress that up is to have metallic sheen on it!

The cake is the centerpiece at your reception so why not make it sparkle even more? The best part of metallic wedding accents is they go with any color scheme. The pop of silver or gold can really take your little details into suave and gorgeous. What other day is it perfectly appropriate to be over the top anyway? We love adding metallics to shoes, bridesmaid dresses or the food!

You’ve planned most of the details, booked the church and reception hall, now you’re left with the fun part! Besides the meal tasting, the other fun part of a wedding is the cake tasting. Now, the best decision is chocolate, vanilla, fruit, red velvet? And what frosting? What will adorn your cake?

Let us take a tangent off the traditional cake, though, and venture into another fantastic option. Wedding cupcakes. These delicious little treats can still convey the elegance and beauty of your big day but there’s also something nostalgic and just fun about unwrapping a cupcake!

Some things to consider first, of course, is cost. Wedding cakes average $4-5 per slice while cupcakes average about $2. However, you need to consider how you’re going to display them, decorative stands and how intricate you want them designed. If you choose wedding cupcakes in order to save money keep it simple.

The style of the wedding cupcake trend lends a light and whimsical feeling to your wedding. You may want to consider the “style” of the people attending and your vision. Some people consider cupcake too casual for weddings or worse, cheap. But, ultimately it’s your day and when they taste the decadent, moist cupcake they may just change their minds.

The other trip up using cupcakes is what do you cut for your wedding cake? Easy, just get a 6 inch cake to place on top of the cupcake tower and you have something to cut! You can even freeze the rest of it for your one year anniversary. So, whether you’re looking for something non-traditional or want to save a little money, cupcakes seem like a great answer!

Do your parents belong to the local country club? If so, you might be able to reap some major benefits on your bottom line and extras if you book your big day there. Some country clubs offer discounts for members and can really give you a bang for your buck.

Most country clubs have golf courses included on the premises. Why not include that theme into your wedding day? From argyle socks to golf ball décor, you can never go wrong with this uber preppy style!

Here are a few ways to incorporate golfing into your theme:

1) The Attire

I wouldn’t suggest the bride do too much to immerse her look in the golfing theme; however, the guys are fair game. From argyle socks to golf ball inspired cuff links, these are just a few ways to incorporate the look and feel of the game.

Petite golf ball cakes or mini doughnut balls are a cute way to pay homage to the game. If you don’t want it to be your main wedding cake, suggest to your sweetie a “groom’s cake” to have a little more fun with your theme.

You can’t forget the golf cart! This could be a unique way to bring the bride to the ceremony spot. Not crazy about that idea? What about your getaway vehicle? The wedding party can decorate the cart in a fun fashion as your private mobile post ceremony.

Your décor can sprinkle in as much golf-y goodness, from “here comes the bride” flags that mimic the flags on the course, prints inspired by golf wear, to the wedding favors. Colors to think about incorporating into your palette are bold reds, yellow, green, and even navy blue. Pew bows could have small round white flower balls attached to them or use golf flags on each pew. The bridal bouquet should be all white to resemble a golf ball. Use indoor/outdoor grass/carpeting as an isle runner. Keep a supply of mini-pencils handy for your guests to send you their best wishes in your guest book. Attach tees to your unity candle to complement the links feel as you seal your wedding vows for now and for always. However, if your wedding is actually taking place on a golf course, consider sealing your vows with a shot for the hole together!

Boutique Bites is a Chicago-based luxury catering firm that serves up food that is equally as delicious as it is beautiful. Started in 2008 by owner Elaina Vasquez, the concept is food that looks almost too good to eat and when you check out their site, you’ll know exactly what we mean. Elaina’s blog boasts intricately designed dishes that are inspired by her love of fashion (we particularly were intrigued by a purple chip with a scoop of caviar that mimicked a similarly decadent runway look!) And the theme can be seen throughout much of her other creations- mini burgers in Louis Vuitton-inspired print boxes, and bites that are so rich in color they themselves could be featured in Vogue Magazine.

Some of our favorite sample items that had us drooling? How about Lobster Mac n’cheese in mason jars? Mini pot pies, tapas stations, and luscious caprese bites are just a few of the signature items that you can customize for your specific event. Boutique Bites can service large weddings and galas to intimate dinner parties and bridal showers. And not only are they spot-on when it comes to of-the-moment cuisine, but their affair with tablescapes and food styling put the entire look of their process ahead of the rest. We aren’t just talking one-note catering here. This place has shown their styling chops with themes ranging from high-end luxe, to rustic and natural and even creates the most beautiful artisanal cheese display we have ever seen! Vendor Spotlight Boutique Bites Fine Catering.

We’ve all heard of farm to table. This is more like runway to plate: elegant and gorgeous, but with tastes to match. We all know the seemingly difficult decision of choosing a caterer and using a venue that requires off-site vendors. With so many choices in a city known for its high standards in culinary excellence, Boutique Bites put us over the top with its wide range of options and regardless of scale, their impeccable attention to detail and presentation. Rarely does a vendor come along that you know your guests will ultimately be raving about for years to come- this is one of them! And while we are dying over the creations on their sample menus, we can’t wait to see what custom tastes they can create for new clients! Needless to say, we are bookmarking their blog as we speak!

Wedding Cake Toppers by SimplyBridal. The wedding cake is such a core piece of the wedding celebration. You could opt for the new fashionable fruit cake and keep it healthy and light, or go for the more traditional chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or cheesecake, it will definitely need a topper. Cake toppers have been such a key piece for a cake as it really allows the couple to show their personal side. They can be made of any material (sometimes even edible) and come in so many shapes and sizes. SimplyBridal has compiled a list of ideas to share with cake lovers everywhere!

Candy Necklace Napkin Ring. The blog we found this image on may be written in another language, but that didn’t stop us from loving this idea and pinning its gorgeousness! The candy necklace provides the ideal amount of childhood nostalgia, while the pastel color is perfect for the quickly approaching spring. The simple white linens and old school name tag keep the focus on the candy necklace. And if guests can’t wait for wedding cake, they can always take a nibble or two out of their napkin ring!

The Naked Wedding Cake. Wedding cakes have long served as the symbol for tradition and wedding day celebrations, and over the years, they’ve gone through quite the transformation. From tiered and tall to substituted with cupcakes, the wedding cake has seen it all. Now, a new trend is taking over, as couples embrace “naked” cakes. With exposed layers, stacked butter cream, and simply displayed fruit, these cakes take a “less frills” approach. Perhaps this cake is the perfect example of less is more, because we are in love!

Pine cone Place cards. Pine cones tend to be something we only see once a year, as the holiday season hits it’s peak. They conjure up images of warm nights by the fire and cinnamon scented candles. However, this pin has us rethinking the holiday only name that pine cones have taken on. The neon paint gives this natural place card holder a fresh look, making it appropriate for just about any season. Aren’t quite a fan of neon? Think about a more subtle color, such as robin’s egg blue or lavender. Perfect for a spring soirée.

While browsing through one of our favorite blogs by the gals over at Southern weddings, iloveswmag.com, it became abundantly clear that not only is this next wedding more than worthy of a spot on our blog, but that events like this- so full of detail, Southern style and glorious paper ( wait until you see the paper!) are pretty rare. We love the Southern charm that SW Mag brings us on a daily basis, but something about this wedding transcended your typical Southern Wedding and it chalk full of details and swoon-worthy elements that are perfect for so many different occasions. Let’s take you through a few of our favorites…

The over the top simplicity: This may sound like an oxymoron, but this Charlottesville gem’s choices of clean, fresh white florals accented with coral (the color of the day!) to the sleek vanilla palette of bridesmaids dresses just screamed elegant and purposefully simple. Just the right amount of color is used throughout the entire event that keeping with a neutral palette is just about the chicest idea we can think of. The simple white wedding cake is adorned with a surprising petal detail and the insanely gorgeous head table is all clean lines and white flowers with just a pop of hot pink coral. The entire look is the perfect balance of style and restraint. And to top it all off, the couple used a modern lampshade overhead for just the right amount of contemporary lighting. It’s this type of attention to detail that is so thought out yet so subtle, that makes your guests feel so comfortable while knowing they are part of something so very special.

Pops of whimsy: Lampshades and color pops aside, the couple opted for little “stations” along the way. A fun sign “Just Dance” adorned to a basket of “dancing flip flops” in shades of pink and white and little stationery cards with cute quotes throughout the reception kept the occasion light and fun. And can we just take a moment to drool over the paper? The stunning paper accents were courtesy of the uber talented Charlottesville native Erika Jack, and they were everywhere! We especially love the Mister and Mrs. signs for the back of the bride and groom’s chairs and the one of a kind menu cards hand stamped with a wax emblem. Almost everywhere you turn, there is another beautiful use of paper- from marriage advice jars to the elegant wedding programs and table names, it’s worth a peak at every last detail!

The tent: The Sperry tent (yes, that is the proper name, so don’t forget it when asking for your own!) is quintessential when it comes to have a wedding that screams “American Classic.” The fresh white flags on top are also about as cute as can be and with optional open sides, is perfect for various types of weather. And well the photo of the entire scene at night just about speaks for itself.

Burlap Monogram Runner. Burlap has been popping up everywhere lately, and we are loving it. We’re feeling an upcoming post about all things burlap. But until then, check out this awesome ceremony runner, combining two of our favorite things, burlap and monograms! The color and texture of the burlap keeps the runner from feeling too fussy, while the trim allows for the right amount of customization. This would be great for either an indoor and outdoor ceremony, and we think fall is the perfect season for this runner’s debut!

Bright Florals + Pumpkin. Fall is finally here, which means we are on the lookout for great ways to incorporate fall’s most festive decoration…pumpkins! And while pumpkins are beautiful in their natural orange color, we love the mix of this white painted pumpkin with the bright florals. If you want to incorporate seasonal favorites without feeling too pinned down to a color scheme, consider paint as a great way to transform a seasonal favorite!

Photography by Robert Caruso

Crate Cakestand. So if you can’t tell already, we’re thrilled that fall is here. And this crate cakestand is another example of just how magical fall is; it somehow manages to make everything old and withered extra special! These crates take the cake to a whole new level, making it a true focal point. We could imagine a similar set up with bales of hay or vintage suitcases, all great ways to make a cake sing.

Seven Arrows Poster Invites. We love a classic, simple invite as much as the next person, but we also love when couples take a less traditional approach, injecting more fun and color into their invites. This invitation package from Ladyfingers Letterpress takes the take when it comes to fun. The bright colors, the mismatched fonts, the pop of yellow in the envelope lining, everything screams, “Come, celebrate, and have a good time with us!”

Kraft Paper Place Settings. There are lots of different ways to help guests know where to sit. Placecards, seating charts, table numbers…the list goes on. But we love the simplicity of these kraft paper table settings. With brown kraft paper and a simple marker, you’ve got instant place settings. Even if you’re not doing assigned seating, this is still a great option; just think of fun and celebratory sayings to write or fun facts to share about the couple. Instant conversation starter!

Sprinkles Cake. We are firm believers that sprinkles make everything better. And this cake is the perfect proof. How can you see this cake and not smile? The all over sprinkle effect makes a bold statement, and the white bows add a pop of elegance. This cake is perfect for a fun and spunky couple!

Splatter Watercolor Invitations. When we first saw this image on Pinterest, it was no more than a two by two square, but even then, we knew it was something special. And even though the DIY tutorial was technically about how to make a floral party hat (which could be a whole other wedding idea in itself), we fell in love with the idea of translating this splatter watercolor concept into a wedding invitation. The refined yet colorful technique creates a hint of whimsy, perfect for a fun and festive invitation. So break out the watercolors, we’re ready to get splattering!

Personalized Cake Stand. We’ve never been shy about our love for cakes, and to prove it, we’ve got a whole pinboard dedicated to the classic wedding dessert. So it’s only normal that when we saw this personalized cake stand, we were head over heels in love. From the pale and lovely color to the sweet, scalloped trim, it is the perfect accessory to make your wedding cake sing. And the countless options for personalization make this beauty a no-brainer!

Simple Wreaths. With the holidays “just around the corner,” wintertime weddingDIY projects are popping up all over Pinterest. And although many of these projects will no doubt be lovely in December, we love stretching many of them to fit the entire year. These simple wreaths are the perfect example. Their simple yet elegant look would be perfect hanging from the windows, the ceiling, or a ceremony backdrop.